World Cup: Spain coach confident against France, citing recent wins and squad depth

Spain's national football team coach, Luis de la Fuente, is confident ahead of their World Cup semifinal clash against France, scheduled for July 15. He pointed to Spain's recent success against their formidable opponents as a significant confidence booster.

"We are the only national team in the world to have beaten France twice in a row, and that is definitely not a coincidence," de la Fuente stated. Spain secured victories against France in the semifinals of the 2024 European Championship (2-1) and the 2025 UEFA Nations League (5-4), both times facing France with their strongest lineup, including Kylian Mbappé.

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We are the only national team in the world to have beaten France twice in a row, and that is definitely not a coincidence.

De la Fuente believes Spain's greatest strength lies in the minimal difference in quality between their starting players and substitutes. This squad depth allows the coaching staff to flexibly adjust formations and personnel based on the opponent. Beyond their signature quick short passes, the Spanish team now possesses diverse tactical options, including solid defense and swift counter-attacks, making their playstyle more versatile.

While acknowledging the pressure both teams will face in this high-stakes encounter between two top-tier national teams, de la Fuente expressed his belief in his team's ability to compete and win against France. "I believe they, like us, will feel some unease. After all, this is a match between two of the world's top national teams," he remarked.

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I believe they, like us, will feel some unease. After all, this is a match between two of the world's top national teams.